Carriage-top



(No Model.)

K. BRUBAKER.

CARRIAGE TOP.

Patented Nov. 22,1881.

Wiiizfisses. Z

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEVI K. BRUBAKER, OF LITIZ, PENNSYLVANIA.

CARRIAGE-TOP.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 249,741, dated November 22, 1881,

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEVI K. BRUBAKER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Litiz, in the county of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Top-Prop Supports for Carriages, &c.; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the'art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to devices for letting down the folding tops of vehicles from the inside thereof; and it consists in the construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanyingdrawings, Figurel represents the device as applied to the toppro'p of abuggy. Fig.2representsaperspective view of my improved top-prop support detached. Fig. 3 represents the operating-rod of said sup port detached from its bearings; and Fig. 4 represents, in detail, the casting provided with tubular bearings, which form part thereof.

In said drawings, A designates the body of a buggy; B, its top, which is provided with brace-bars b,- aud 0, its top-prop, consisting of upright bar 0 and horizontal bar 0 jointed at c.' WVhen the top B is up, the bar or rod 0 of the top-prop occupies its normal upright position. When rod 0 is forced backward the joint at d is broken, and when the upright rods on both sides of the buggy are moved in this way there is nothing to prevent the buggy-top from falling backward and folding.

A metallic casting, D, consisting of two terminal tubular bearings, D D and an interposed arch, D is secured to the carriage-top by means oflaterally-extendin gears d d,which are perforated for the passage of fasteningbolts. The arched portion D of the casting clasps one of the bars I) of the bow or top to which it is thus attached. The tubular bearing D extends horizontally inward therefrom, and a similar bearin g, D extends horizontally outward in like manner.

E designates a rod or shaft which rotates in said bearings D and D and protrudes at each end therefrom. its outer end is provided with a cylindrical enlargement, E, a prismatic enlargement, E and a screwthreaded tip, E

The cylindrical part E receives the jointed end of horizontal top-prop bar 0 The prismatic part E receives the jointed end of upright top-prop bar 0, and the screw-threaded tip E receives a nut, E, which prevents either of said top-prop bars from becoming detached. Of course any other suitable fastening device may be substituted for this nut, or for the means hereinbefore stated which secure the casting D to the buggy-top.

It is obvious that the shaft or rod E-then forms the joint pintle or bolt of the top-prop. Of course the part of bar 0 engaging with it is prismatically perforated, while that of C engaging with it is cylindrically perforated. The rod E turns freelyin all the parts through which it passes, except only the prismatioallyperforated bar 0. On the inner end of said rod E a wheel,F, is attached. For this wheel a handle may be substituted, or a prismatic end adapted to receive a wrench or other turning device. When such wheel or its equivalent is turned backward the upright bar 0 of the top prop to which it is attached is necessarily turned back also by the action of the prismatic part E of rod E. Therefore, as soon 1 as both wheels F (one on each side of the carriage) are turned in this way, the top will be free to fall down. These wheels are within the vchicle,and the occupant can easily reach them without rising, straining, or neglecting the reins.

Of course these devices may be applied to any kind of vehicle having a folding or falling top.

Instead of the prismatic part E of rod E, any other construction may be employed which will allow said rod to engage with upright bar 0, as stated.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The casting D, having bearings D D and an intermediate arch, in combination with the jointed top-prop and the shaft E, having a cylindrical part and a prismatic part, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALLAN A. Hana, J. E. Hana. 

